The Dark Hour again. The moon was full and deadly tonight. As it was expected, Fuuka located yet another powerfull shadow roaming outside of Tartarus.
This time, she felt the presence in the northern Iwatoudai harbor, but it was about 10 meters underground. Aigis informed that according to her database, there was supposed to exist an underground military facility there.
There was no mistake. It was a military facility alright. Lots of boxes of ammo were scattered around the floor, as if the base was abbandoned in a hurry. They crossed the large iron entrance door, and looked around.

- The target should be around here... - said Fuuka. Suddenly, a voice echoed behind them.

- Well done... - they turned around and there were two persons facing them. A tall and pale young man full of tatoos with a gun on his waist and a geek green-shirted carrying a suitcase. - This is the first time we've met in person.

- Who are these guys? - said Fuuka - Lucia didn't sense a thing 'til now!

- My name is Takaya. - said the pale man. - This is Jin. We are know to some as Strega. We've been keeping an eye on you... From what we hear, you've undertaken a "righteous" battle to save the world. But we've come here tonight to put an end to that dream. You've gained new allies, yet this land still crawls with sin. Tartarus is towering as beautifully as always...

- But... - Junpei interrupted him. - Why the hell would you wanna stop us!?

- That's simple... - said Jin - If the Shadows and the Dark Hour disappear, then so will our power. And we can't let that happen now, can we?

- Power...? - it was Mitsuru - Don't tell me... you're Persona-users as well!

- Why don't you use that pretty little head of yours for a change? Only a selected few wield the power of a Persona. And the Dark Hour is a frontier that is ours alone to explore... Just like the Tower of Demise.

- THAT's your reason!? - said Yukari - Are you crazy!? There's no telling what will happen if we don't do something about the Shadows!

- What difference does it make...? There will always be disasters. whether they are caused by Shadows or arise from human folly. No one can predict the future, anyway. But that is all beside the point... Surely you will acknowledge the sense of significance the Dark Hour has given you.

- You think I like this!?

- Is it not so? How about the rest of you...? Do you also wish to return to your pathetic ordinary lives?

There was a moment of sillence, as if they were all thinkin about it. But then Fuuka's voiced sounded out.

- I don't enjoy this one single bit.

- You've each got your own reason for fighting. - said Jin. - "Justice" is only an excuse... And that makes you all hypocrites! So to hell with you! - The doors began to close down quickly. Akihiko still tried punch it open, but it was too late. They heard Jin's last words through the other side of the door. - Have fun in there.

- We will be ok. - said Aigis. - Rather than wasting our energy, I suggest we deal with the Shadow first.

- You're right. - said Yukari - If we lose our cool then they win.

- The shadow's moving! - said Fuuka with a sense of urge in her voice. - I think it's noticed us!

Alright, let's concentrate on our original goal. - said Mitsuru. - We can look for a way out after we've won. Everyone, prepare for battle.

When ready, they went down through a dark corridor, full of ammo and tread marks on the ground, as well as the entrance.

- This semed to be a weapons depot. - said Fuuka.

- Seems like war scars are deeper then we though. - pundered Mitsuru.

They got to an open and sighted the Shadow which was in the form of a tank.

- Well... This explains the tread marks... - said Minato.

- It's using the tank as an armor. - said Fuuka. - It's Arcana is Justice... No, wait! It's Chariot? But... What the....? Why am I sensing two entities...? It doesn't make sense!

They started to attack the tank which fought back, but after a bit the upper part separated.

- I see now. The vehicle and turret are different types: one's Chariot and the other's Justice. The have to be taken down together!

After a while beating them, they seemed on the limit, and then Minato and Aigis conducted a coordinated attack, in which Minato used Pyro Jack's Agilao and Aigis used Kill Rush. They exploded at the same time, and yet another Shadow has been defeated. Minato survived again his ordeal in the full moon.

As they were walking back to the entrance, Mitsuru called their outside contact, the chariman.

- This is Mitsuru. We've neutralized the target.

- Good work. You may return.

- Wait. There's more... Our mission was interrupted by an uninvited guest. He's most likely a Persona-user.

- A persona-user!?

- ... And he wasn't alone. They appeared quietly during the Dark Hour and seemed to be aware of our activities.

- Hmm... Did they say anything that might give us a clue?

- Come to think of it... They said they're called "Strega".

- Strega...?... I'll see what I can find out.

- Thank you. I have one final thing to report... I regret to inform you that we fell right into Strega's trap, and now we're locked inside here.

- Ah, I see. Since the threat has been eliminated, I'll send someone over as soon as I can.

- I'm sorry. We'll be waiting. - she turned off. They escaped today's ordeal, but now there is a new enemy, and it's name is Strega...




Okay, glad I made this one, didn't turned out quite as I expected, but it's cool anyway.
Next full moon will be better, i promise.

Persona 3 characters are a © Atlus